Shoe Fastening Device and Method

ABSTRACT

A shoe fastening system comprises a body extending between first and second ends. Fastening members releasably engage each end permitting the engagement of one or more eyelets on a shoe. The first fastening member is defined by a first hook having a clip that is biased toward the body. The second fastening member is defined by a second hook. The hook and clip are adapted to engage eyelet openings of the shoe. A method for fastening a shoe comprises providing shoe fastening devices, positioning each device to engage the eyelets, and adjusting each device to retain facings on the shoe.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/319,427 filed on Apr. 7, 2016, entitled “No Tys” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to the field of shoe fastening systems and more specifically to alternative shoelaces for securing a shoe on the foot of a user.

2. Description of Related Art

Many types of shoes utilize laces in order to secure the shoe to the users foot. Shoelaces can be difficult to reach for those having physical difficulties. Similarly, children often struggle with tying shoelaces. Further, shoelaces are prone to becoming untied and trailing behind the wearer. The untied shoelaces can cause the wearer to trip and possibly sustain injury. In order to address these concerns, the present invention provides a shoe fastening system that is securable to the eyelets of a traditional laced shoe in order to provide an alternative method of securement.

Devices were found in the prior art relating to alternatives for shoelaces. One such prior art device provides shoelace replacement, comprising a mini bungee cord with ends terminating in hooks and a decorative component in the center of the cord. Another device provides a strap and a pair of hooks for insertion into the eyelets of the footwear. These prior art devices, however, fail to provide a shoelace replacement, comprising an elastic strap that terminates in opposing hooks, whereby the hooks are extendable in length.

Based on the foregoing, there is a need in the art for a shoe fastening system that is safe, easy to use, and effective in retaining the shoe on the foot of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A shoe fastening system comprises a body extending between first and second ends. A first fastening member and a second fastening member releasably engage the first and second ends. Each fastening member releasably engage one or more eyelets on a shoe.

In an embodiment, the first fastening member is threadingly engaged with the first end and wherein the second fastening member is threadingly engage with the second end.

In an embodiment, the first fastening member is defined by a first hook having a clip, wherein the clip is biased toward the body retaining the device on one of the one or more eyelet openings.

In an embodiment, the second fastening member is defined by a second hook releasably engages an eyelet opening.

In an embodiment, the second fastening member further comprises a handle to permit the user to grip the second end and engage the eyelet opening.

In an embodiment, the body is elastic.

In an embodiment, the threaded engagement permits the lengthening of the device on the first end and second end.

In an embodiment, each hook is positioned on a same side of a longitudinal plane to permit the engagement of the one or more eyelet openings.

In an embodiment, engagement of each fastening member biases at least two facings of the shoe.

A method for fastening a shoe comprises the steps of first, providing a plurality shoe fastening devices. Next, positioning each of the plurality of shoe fastening devices to engage one or more eyelet openings of a shoe, and finally, adjusting each of the plurality of shoe fastening devices to retain at least two facings of the shoe.

The foregoing, and other features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the ensuing descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings briefly described as follows.

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the device having adjustable length L₁, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the device having adjustable length L₂, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the device having adjustable length L₃, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the device coupled to a shoe, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5, is a perspective view of the device having disengaged coupling portions, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the device having engaged coupling portions, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side front elevation view of the device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a shoe fastening method, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention and their advantages may be understood by referring to FIGS. 1-8, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.

In general, a shoe fastening system generally comprises a base composed of an elastic material. The base has a first end and a second end which opposes the first end. A hook is disposed on each of the first and second ends. The hooks are configured to engage with the eyelet of a lace-style shoe that has had the laces removed. One hook is securable to a first eyelet while the second hook is securable to an opposing eyelet on the other side of the shoe. The elastic material allows the shoe binding system to flex along with the movement of the wearer's foot and provides additional comfort to the wearer. A plurality of threads are disposed on the first and second ends of the base. The hook further comprises an interior channel having receiving threads disposed therein. The interior channel of the hook is configured to receive the threaded end of the base and secure it thereto. The length of the shoe binding system may be adjusted by rotating the hook along its threaded connection, which causes the position of the one hook to change relative to the position of the other hook, and causes the overall length of the shoe binding system to increase or decrease depending on the direction of rotation. In this way, the binding system may be shortened or lengthened and utilized with any size shoe.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a shoe fastening system may include a body 5 having a first end 10 and a second end 15. Fastening members 25 are releasably engaged at each of the first and second ends. Each fastening member comprises a coupling portion 20 that is fastened to each of the first 10 and second ends 15. At the terminal end of each of the first and second ends, the coupling portion 20 may be comprised of a fastening member 25. Each securing member 25 is configured to provide a releasably secure engagement to respective eyelet openings 30 of a shoe 35 (shown in FIG. 3). A longitudinal axis 1 extends between each end 10,15 along the length of the device. In an embodiment, the fastening member 25 is a first hook 55 having a clip 60 to biased toward the body to secure the engagement of the movably coupled coupling portion 20 to the eyelet 30. Opposing the first hook 55 may be an opposing fastening member 25 having a second hook with a receiving portion 65 that releasably engages an eyelet on a shoe. The receiving portion 65 is positioned at the terminal end of the device. Each hook is positioned such that the receiving portion 65 and clip 60 are on the same side of the longitudinal axis. This positioning allows each portion 60, 65 to properly engage the eyelet openings 30 of the shoe 35.

In alternate embodiment, the first hook 55 may be a latching member allowing the user to quickly disconnect the coupling portion to the eyelet.

In reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the body 5 may be comprised of threaded portions 40 at each end of the body. Each threaded portion is molded to the body at the first and second ends 10,15. Each threaded portion is threadingly coupled to a complimentary threaded portion 45 positioned within an aperture of each coupling portion 20. The threaded portion 40 permits the length of the device to be modified such that a user can tighten or loosen the shoe around the foot within. The threadingly engaged coupling portion 20 may allow for the user to interchange coupling portions to different styles, configurations, or means for coupling the device to a shoe as described herein. The second end 15 has a handle 50 having a height extending perpendicular to the longitudinal plane 1 of the device. The handle 50 aids the user in holding the device and extending it to engage the eyelets 30 of the shoe 35. The handle is positioned on an opposing side of the receiving portion and clip 60,65 with respect to the longitudinal axis 1. In a preferred embodiment, the handle 50 is positioned to protrude from the coupling portion 20 having the receiving portion.

In reference to FIG. 4, the shoe fastening system is illustrated having three individual fastening devices engaged with eyelets openings of the shoe. In general, each of the shoe fastening devices are positioned to releasably engage one or more eyelet holes, apertures, hooks, loops, latching components, or similar article on a shoe. Preferentially, the first end 10 having a first hook 55 with a clip 60 is releasably engaged with one of the plurality of eyelet openings 30 on the shoe 35. The user may then grasp the handle 50 and pull the shoe fastening device over the tongue 44 of the shoe 35. The second end 15 having the receiving portion 65 is releasably engaged with a corresponding eyelet opening 30 such that the shoe fastening devices biases each facing, eyelet stay, or similar component towards one another. The clip 60 retains the shoe fastening device on the shoe such that as a user only needs to disengage the receiving portion 65 at the second end 15 of the device in order to release the shoe and remove their foot. The clip maintains the engagement with an eyelet until the next use.

In an embodiment, the fastening device may be one of a set or kit, such that the user may select from a multitude of components to interchange. Further the set or kit may include a plurality of fastening devices each of which having a selectable set or kit of components. In this manner, the user may fully customize the fastening components of the shoe. Each component of the set may be similar in size and configuration, or of varying size and configuration for the user to select. The body, coupling portion, and fastening members may be interchangeable within the set.

In reference to FIGS. 5-7, the body 5 is an elongated elastic member allowing for the user to stretch the body 5 to allow each coupling portion 20 to engage the eyelets of the shoe may define the body. The length of the elastic member with the fastening members 25 coupled at each end thereto is longer than the elastic member itself. The elastic member has a first length L₁ (FIG. 5) when in a relaxed state and a greater second length L₂ (FIG. 6) when stretched and under tension. A third, and longer length L₃ (FIG. 7) is achieved when the user lengthens the threaded portion 40. In this manner, the user may modify the tension of the device when engaged with the eyelets 30 of the shoe 35. It is noted that any length between L₁—the resting length of the device with coupling portion 20 fully engaged with the body—and L₃—the fully extended length of the device—may be achieved by the user upon the modulation of the body and the threaded engagement of the body to the coupling portions.

In an embodiment, they elongated elastic member may be substituted with a rigid component such as leather or metal cord to compliment the style of a particular shoe, or personal preference of the user.

In reference to FIG. 8, a method of use is illustrated in an embodiment of the present design. In step 100, a shoe fastening device is provided having components described in FIGS. 1-7. Optionally, the user may elect to interchange body components, coupling components, handles, and like components to achieve a custom look specific to varying styles of shoes. In step 105 the user positions the device to engage one or more eyelet openings on a pair of shoes. Preferentially, the first hook engages with the eyelet by inserting the clip into the eyelet opening. The clip secured the coupling portion at the first end of the device to the facing of the shoe. In step 110 the device is oriented and/or stretched over the tongue of the shoe. The receiving portion is engaged with the eyelet opening on the opposing side of the shoe. A handle may be disposed on the coupling portion such that the user can grasp the handle to stretch the shoe fastening device over the tongue portion of the shoe. This general process is repeated for additional devices at a plurality of eyelet openings along each facing of the shoe.

During use, the user may partially disengage the threaded portions from the complimentary threaded portions such that the overall length of the device is extended. An example of this is seen in FIG. 4, wherein the shoe fastening at the top of the tongue has been lengthened by partially disengaging the threaded portions. Further, the elastic body can be modulated by selecting different materials having unique elastic properties.

The invention has been described herein using specific embodiments for the purposes of illustration only. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, however, that the principles of the invention can be embodied in other ways. Therefore, the invention should not be regarded as being limited in scope to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but instead as being fully commensurate in scope with the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. A shoe fastening system comprising: a. a body extends between first end and a second end; and b. a first fastening member and second fastening member, wherein the first fastening member is releasably engaged with the first end, and wherein the second fastening member is releasably engaged with the second end, wherein each of the fastening members releasably engage one or more eyelets on a shoe.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first fastening member is threadingly engaged with the first end and wherein the second fastening member is threadingly engage with the second end.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first fastening member is defined by a first hook having a clip, wherein the clip is biased toward the body retaining the device on one of the one or more eyelet openings.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second fastening member is defined by a second hook releasably engages an eyelet opening.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the second fastening member further comprises a handle to permit the user to grip the second end and engage the eyelet opening.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the body is elastic.
 7. The system of claim 7, wherein the threaded engagement permits the lengthening of the device on the first end and second end.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein each hook is positioned on a same side of a longitudinal plane to permit the engagement of the one or more eyelet openings.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein engagement of each fastening member biases at least two facings of the shoe.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein a method for fastening a shoe comprises the steps of: a. providing a plurality shoe fastening devices; b. positioning each of the plurality of shoe fastening devices to engage one or more eyelet openings of a shoe; and c. adjusting each of the plurality of shoe fastening devices to retain at least two facings of the shoe. 